What is the usual course of Rett syndrome?
Health care providers view the onset of Rett syndrome symptoms in four stages: • Early Onset Phase – Development stalls or stops. • Rapid Destructive Phase – The child loses skills (regresses) quickly. Purposeful hand movements and speech are usually the first skills lost. • Plateau Phase – Regression slows, and other problems may seem to lessen or improve. Most people with Rett syndrome spend most of their lives in stage 3. • Late Motor Deterioration Phase – Individuals may become stiff or lose muscle tone; some may become immobile. Most girls with Rett syndrome live until adulthood.
